09/15/2024
In Internal Family Systems (IFS) - and in general, no matter the approach - it is vital for healers (helpers, therapists, providers) to engage in ongoing personal healing to stay connected to their Self—the core of curiosity, confidence, connectedness, creativity, courage, compassion, clarity, and calmness. This work involves helpers + providers also doing the personal work of unblending from Parts to ensure unresolved wounds do not impact client sessions - we call this addressing “Trailheads” via The Therapist “U-Turn”.
This weekend, I was honored to have been able to attend a retreat for helpers/therapists/healers that focused on addressing Legacy and Cultural Burdens—deep-seated beliefs and traumas passed down through generations and shaped by cultural contexts. For IFS practitioners, working through these burdens is crucial for deepening Self-leadership and ensuring they do not inadvertently project these unhealed parts within their work with clients (or personal connections). By continually unburdening these layers, helpers + providers maintain a grounded, Self-led presence, which is essential for creating a safe, unbiased therapeutic environment.
This personal work allows practitioners to model Self-leadership, cultivate deeper empathy, and avoid the “healer’s bypass,” where one might focus on healing others to avoid their own pain. Regular self-reflection and healing work help practitioners embody IFS principles, sustain effective client relationships, and prevent their own legacy and cultural burdens from influencing their therapeutic role.
I’m so grateful to have been able to attend this incredible retreat with Kay Gardner, hosted by / Jaclyn Long, MFT 🙏🏼
Thankful to have been able to experience deeper healing amongst the redwood trees with other helpers, healers, humans also doing their part to heal their burdens w/ the assistance of Self’s guidance, and the healing of the collective.
One’s own healing contributes to the healing of the collective. 🪴🌱
